SPT Labtech and Agilent launch automated target enrichment protocols for clinical genomics

SPT Labtech and Agilent Technologies have announced the release of automated target enrichment protocols for the firefly®+ platform, designed to streamline genomic sequencing workflows in clinical research, oncology, and precision medicine applications. The protocols, which integrate Agilent’s SureSelect Max DNA Library Prep Kit with SPT Labtech’s liquid handling automation, are now available to all firefly+ users through the firefly community cloud.

Addressing workflow bottlenecks through automation

The collaboration between SPT Labtech’s applications team and Agilent’s research and development groups has produced optimised protocols that eliminate manual library preparation steps. The automated approach delivers enhanced reproducibility, reduced error rates, and substantial time savings compared to traditional manual methods.

Development and validation work focused on Agilent’s Exome V8 and a smaller Comprehensive Cancer Panel, though the protocols extend across Agilent’s full range of target enrichment panels. This broad applicability provides laboratories with a flexible workflow solution that can adapt to diverse sequencing requirements.

Technical specifications and laboratory benefits

The firefly+ platform’s advanced automation capabilities enable hands-off library preparation, a critical feature for laboratories managing high-throughput sequencing demands. By combining Agilent’s established chemistry with automated liquid handling, the protocols support consistent sample processing whilst reducing the technical burden on laboratory staff.

Morten Frost, Chief Commercial Officer at SPT Labtech, described the development as “a critical step in addressing bottlenecks across sequencing workflows. By combining Agilent’s gold-standard chemistry with firefly+ automation, we are helping labs scale sequencing faster, more reliably, and with greater efficiency.”

Nina Green, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent’s Clinical Diagnostic Division, added: “Agilent’s SureSelect Max DNA Library Prep Kit delivers the robust chemistry and high performance that labs demand for target enrichment. We are pleased to partner with SPT on enabling the first Target Enrichment protocol on the firefly+, enabling researchers to scale their sequencing workflows with greater efficiency.”

Conference presentation

SPT Labtech representatives demonstrated the protocols at the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, in October 2025.